Boiler cleaner



N. L. SNOW BOILER CLEANER Feb. 7, 1933.

Original Filed Jan. 28. 1924- 2 Sheets-Sheet l awuewtoz [07772 an I. 522 GM Feb. 7, 1933. N SNQW 1,896,565

BOILER CLEANER Original. Filed Jan. 28. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (Bram aw Patented Feb. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFrcE' NORMAN I. SNOW, OF NEW CANAAN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO DIAMOND POWER SPECIALTY CORPORATION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, .A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN BOILER CLEANER Application filed January 28; 1924, Serial No. 689,099. Renewed July 28, 1931.v

The invention relates to boiler cleaners and refers more particularly to that type having a blower element through which clean in fluid is discharged to clean the boiler tubes or other parts of the boiler and has for its object the provision of an improved boiler cleaner of the type mentioned.

lVith the above and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a boiler cleaner embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof; Figure 2A is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2A-2A of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation partly in section of a modified construction of boiler cleaner embodying my invention;

Figure 1 is an end view thereof. v As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 2A, 1 is the rotatable blower element or pipe extending transversely through the boiler wall 2 and provided with a series of nozzles through which the cleaning fluid such as steam or the like is discharged to clean the boiler tubes or other parts of the boiler. 3 is the gooseneck through which the cleaning fluid passes to the blower element, this gooseneck being connected to the blower element by the usual swivel. 4 is the valve within the gooseneck '3 and preferably at its lower end, and having the valve stem 5 extending upwardly through the upper wall at the lower end of the gooseneck. This valve is normally held seated by a suitable means such as the coil 0 spring 6. 7 is a gear operatively' connected to the blower element to rotate the same, and 8 is a pinion meshing with the gear 7 and secured upon the shaft 9, which latteris jour nalled in the bearing 10. As shown, the teeth of both thegear and pinion are inclined relative to their respective axes. 11 is a second shaft connected at its upper end to the shaft 9 by the universal joint 12 and having at its lower end a suitable member such as the hand wheel 13 for the operator to grasp.

'14 is a cam mounted upon the shaft 15 which is journalled in a stationary bearing, 16 which as shown in the present instance extends transversely from the'gooseneck 3, the

axis of rotation of'the cam being in alignment with the center line of the universal. omt and the cam being so positioned that its periphery 1s engageable with theupper end of the valve stem 5 to depress the same and 7 thereby open the valve. 16 is a reinforcing bracket having its one end bifurcated for connection to the sections of the bearing 16 and having its other end fixed to the upper end of the goose neck 3. Intermediate its length this bracket is provided with the bearing 16" for receiving the blower element 1. 17 is an arm for rotating .the cam 14 upon swinging of the actuating or second shaft 11. One end of this arm is secured to the shaft 15 and the other end is connected to the actu- 2 ating shaft to swing therewith but permit rotation thereof about its axis. As shown,

and away from the boiler wall 2, rotates the cam lthrough the arm 17, thereby bringing the periphery of the cam into engagement with the valve stem 5 and opening the valve 1. Then by rotating the shaft llabout its axis, the blower element 1 is rotated through the shaft 9, the pinion 8 and the gear 7 After the blower element'has been. rotated or oscillated the desired length of time and over the desired range it can be brought back to its starting position and the valve closed by then allowing the shaft 11 to return to its vertical position.

In the modified construction shown in Figures 3 and 4, 19 is the blower element and 20 the gooseneck connected to the blower ele ment by the usual swivel including the swivel pipe 21. 22 is a frame rotatably mounted upon the swivel pipe 21 and provided with the laterally extending arm 23 in which is journalled the shaft 24 to which is secured the sheave wheel 25. 26 is a pinion fixed upon the shaft and meshing with the gear wheel 27, which latter is operatively connected to the blower element 19 so that upon rotation of the sheave wheel the blower element is rotated.

28 is a chain extending around the sheave wheel 25 and also around the lower sheave wheel 29, which latter is rotatably mounted upon the transverse stub shaft 30 of the block 31 which is slidable in the vertical groove 32 in the stationary casting 33. 34 is a pin extending axially through the stub shaft 30 and having its inner end adapted to engage alternatively in the vertically aligned recesses 35 and 36in the casting and having provision at its outer end for manipulation by the operator.

For maintaining the chain 28 taut in either of the positions of the pin 3a, the frame 22 is also provided with the lateral arm 37 8X- tending in the opposite direction to that of the arm 23 and to which the weight 38 is secured.

The valve 39 within the lower end of the gooseneck 20 is moved to open position by means of the cam 40 upon the frame 22 and having its periphery engageable with the valve stem 41 to depress the same against the coil spring 42 which normally maintains the valve closed.

When the pin 34 is in the uppermost recess 36 the frame 22 is held in position by means of the weight 38 so that the cam 40 permits the valve 39 to be closed by the spring 42. To operate the valve the pin 3% is removed from the recess 36 and the block 31 moved vertically downward and the pin 34: engaged in the recess 35. This operation through the chain 28 and sheave wheel 25 rocks the frame 22 in a counter-clockwise direction and also rocks the cam l0 into engagement with the valve stem 41 to open the valve. Then pulling of the chain will rotate or oscillate the blower element through the pinion 26 and gear 27, during which time the cleaning fluid is being discharged through the blower element. hen the blower element has been rotated or oscillated the desired length of time, it can be returned to its original or starting position and the pin controlling the position of the lower sheave wheel can be re-inserted in the uppermost recess in the casting, which allows the frame 22 to resume its normal position as well as the cam 40, thereby permitting the valve to again seat.

A distinctive advantage of this invention s the complete freedom of blowing opera tion by the operator. He may, at will, blow back and forth over any number of blowing arcs, whether these arcs duplicate each other, overlap, or are entirely separated from each other, or he may mix are blowing with blowing through the complete 360. Also, with this arrangement a fixed position of the blower element where the valve is closed is not necessary.

F or the purpose of facilitating the description of the invention, the invention has been described as being incorporated i a boiler cleaner for cleaning parts of a boiler. It will be readily apparent, however, that the invention may be incorporated in a device for cleaning any heat exchange apparatus, and it is to be therefore and teed that the term boiler, wh rover used throu hout the specification or claims to be as meaning a heat transfer aoparat cleaner is to be construed meaning a cleaner for any such apparatus.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower element and a valve for controlling the of cleaning fluid hrough said blower element, of mechanism for open ating said blower element and valve, said mechanism including a sv-Jinging member adapted to rotate about its axis, said mechanism being adapted by the swinging movement to operate said valve, and by the rotary movemen to operate said blower element.

2. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a rotatable blower element, of a valve for controlling the passage of cleaning fluid to said blower element, a cam for oper tin said valve, and operating means governing sz.d cam and operatively connected to said blower element independently of id cam, said means being mounted to he e two different types of movement, movement of said means conformable to one type resulting in rotation of said blower element and movement according to the other type effecting an actuation of said cam.

3. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a rotatable blower element, of a valve for controlling the passage of cleanin fluid to said blower element, a cam for ope tin valve, cooperating gears for rotating .aid blower element independently of said cam, and means for effecting the rotation of said gears also adapted to independen i dfect the actuation of said cam.

i. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a rotatable blower element, of a valve for controlling the passage of cleaning fluid to said blower elemen a rotatable cam for oper ating said valve, cooperating gears for 0 ing the rotation of said blower element, a shaft to which one of said gears is secured, a second shaft rotatably and swingably mounted, a universal joint con iv shafts, the center-line of said unii o. being in substantial alignment with the axis of rotation of said cam, and means for effecting the rotation of said cam upon swinging of said second shaft.

5. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower element, of a valve for controlling the passage of cleaning fluid therethrough, the said valve being operable without movement of the blower element, and a single means having one type of movement for operating said blower element and an independent type of movement for operating said valve, whereby said blower element and valve may be operated entirely independently of each other.

, 6. The combination with a blower element and a valve for controlling the supply of cleaning fluid to said element, of means for moving said blower element, means for actuating said valve, iand a member mounted for two types of movement to selectively actuate either of the said means.

7. The combination witha blower element and a valve for controlling the supply of cleaning fluid to said element, of a rotatable member for moving said blower element, a second rotatable member for actuating said valve,and a lever mounted for two types of movement to selectively rotate either of the said members.

8. The combination with a blower element and a valve for controlling the supply of cleaning fluid to said element, of gearing for moving said'blower element, a cam for actuating said valve, and a lever movable in two different waysto selectively actuate either the said gearingor the said cam.

9. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with ablower element, and a valve for controlling the passage of cleaning fluid therethrough, of actuating mechanism for selectively moving said blower element or operating said valve,said mechanism being mounted for two different typesof movement, movement of said mechanism conformable to one type resulting in a movement of said blower element and movement of said mechanism conformable to the other type effecting an operation of said valve.

10. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower element and a valve for controlling thepassage of cleaning fluid through said blowerelement, of mechanism for selectively moving said blower element or operatingsaid valve, said mechanism includ ing a member mounted for two different types of movement, movement of said member conformable to one type effecting a movement of said blower element and movement of said member conformable to the other type efleetin g an operation of said valve.

11. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with .a' blower element and a source of cleaning fluid, of a valve controlling the supply alternately on said members for causing the valve and blower element to be actuated.

12. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower element, of a valve for controlling the passage of cleaning fluid to said blower element, a movable cam for operating said valve, a sheave wheel movable with said cam and also rotatable relative thereto, connections between said sheave wheel and blower element operable to rotate the blower element upon rotation of the sheave wheel relative to said cam, and a chain extending around said sheave wheel for rotating said sheave wheel and for moving said sheave wheel and cam to actuate said valve.

13. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower element, of a valve for controlling the passage of cleaning fluid to said blower element, a movable cam for operating said valve, a sheave wheel rotatable relative to said cam'and also connected to said cam for moving the same, connections between said sheave wheel and blower element for rotating the latter upon rotation of the former, a chain extending around said sheave wheel, and a second sheave around which said chain extends, said second sheave being movably mounted in such a manner that the same may be moved to cause said chain to move said first mentioned sheave wheel to actuate said cam.

14. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower element and a valve for controlling the flowof cleaning fluid to the blow er element, of means for moving said blower element and for actuating said valve, said means including a sheave wheel mounted for rotation and for swinging movement, said means-being so arranged that swinging movement of said sheave wheel a'ctuates said valve and rotary movement of said sheave wheel moves said blower element.

15. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a movable blower element and'a valve for'controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to said blower element, of a cam for actuating said valve, and operating means governing said. cam and operatively connected to said blower element independently of said cam, said means including a sheave wheel mounted for two types of movement, movement of said sheave wheel conformable to one type resulting in movement of said blower element, and movement of said sheave wheel conformable to the other type effect-ing an actuation of said cam.

16. The combination with a blower element and a valve for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to said blower element, of means for moving said blower element, means separate from said first mentionedmeans for actuating said valve, and a sheave wheel mounted for two types of movement and so arranged with respect to said means as to sewith a blower element and a valvefor pendent upon the type of movement imparted to the sheave wheel.

17. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a movable blower element and a valve for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to said blower element, of a sheave wheel mounted for two different types of movement, means operable 1 con movement of said sheave wheel conformable to one type to ef fect an actuation of said valve, and means separate from and arranged to operate independently of said first mentioned means operable upon movement of said sheave wheel conformable to the other type to effect a 7 movement of said blower element.

P mounted on the blower element for actuating the said valve,

19. in a boiler cleaner, the combination w1th a blower element and a valve for controlling the flow of cleaning id to said 1 blower element, of means including a frame rotatably journaled on said blower element for actuating said valve, and means including a flexible member for moving said frame.

20. In a boiler cleaner, the combination controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to said blower element, of a frame mounted for lOClI- ing movement about the axis of said blower element and so arranged relative to the valve as to actuate the same wl en rocxed, and a sheave whee mounted for two types of movement and so arranged with reference to said frame that movement of said sheave wheel conformable to one type effects a rocking of said frame said sheave wheel beino' so associated with said blower element that movement said sheave wheel conformable to the other type effects a movement of said blower element.

relative 21. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower element and a valve for controlling: the flow of cleaning fluid to said blower element, of a frame mounted for rocking movement on tile blower element and thereto and adapted to engage the said valve to actuate the same, and means norm lly holding said frame out of engagement with the said valve.

22. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a movable blower element and a valve 1 her mounted for movement with said sheave wheel as a unit and relative to said sheav wheel to rotate the same, means operable upon movement of said sheave wheel. and flexible member as a unit to effect an actuation of said valve, and means operable upon movement of said flexible member relative to said sheave wheel to eifect a movement of said blower element.

23. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a rotatable blower element and a valve for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to said blower element, of a frame supported on the blower element for rocking movement about the axis of and relative to said blower element, a cam carried by said frame and engageable with said valve to actuate the same, a sheave wheel carried by said frame, and means for moving said sheave wheel to efiect a rocking of said frame and an actuation of said valve independent of movement of said blower element.

24. In a boiler cleaner, the combination vith a rotatable brewer element and a valve for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to said blower element, of a frame mounted for rocking movement about the axis of and relati ve to said blower element, a cam carried by said frame and operable upon rocking of the frame to actuate the said valve, a sheave wheel carried by said frame, said sheave wheel being mounted for rotation about its axis and for rocking movement with the frame, means including a flexible member engaging said sheave wheel for rocking said frame, said flexible member being also adapted to rotate said sheave wheel about its axis, and means operable upon rotation of said sheave wheel about its axis to rotate said blower element.

25. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a rotatable blower element and a valve for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to the blower element, of a frame mounted for rocking movement about the axis of and relative to said blower element, a cam carried by said frame and operable in one position of said frame to open said valve and in a second position of said frame to permit said valve to close, a sheave wheel carried by said rame for rocking movement with said 'rame and for rotation relative to the frame,

a second sheave wheel spaced from said first mentioned sheave wheel and mounted for rotation and for sliding movement, a chain extending around said sheave wheels, said chain being adapted upon sliding movement of said second mentioned sheave wheel to move said first mentioned sheave wheel to move said frame, and said chain being also operable upon rotation of said second mentioned sheave wheel to effect a rotation of said first mentioned sheave wheel, and means operable upon rotation of said first mentioned sheave wheel to rotate said blower element.

26. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a rotatable blower element and a valve for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to the blower element, of a frame mounted for rocking movement about the axis of and relative to said blower element, a cam carried by said frame and operable inone position of said frame to open said valve and in asecond position of said frame to permit said valve to close, a sheave wheel carried by said frame for rocking movement with said frame and for rotation relative to the frame, a second sheave wheel spaced from said first mentioned sheave wheel and, mounted for rotation and for sliding movement, a chain extending around said sheave wheels, said chain. being adapted upon sliding move ment of said second mentioned sheave wheel in one direction to move said frame, and said chain being also operable upon rotation of said second mentioned sheave wheel to effeet a rotation of said first mentioned sheave wheel, means operable upon rotation of said first mentioned sheave wheel to rotate said blower element, a block mounted for sliding movement and journaling said second mentioned sheave wheel, and means associated with said block for holding said second mentioned sheave wheel in position to maintain said frame in position to cause the cam carried thereby to hold said valve open.

27. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower element and a valve for con trolling the flow of cleaning fluid to said blower element, of a member mounted for rocking movement on said blower element and relative thereto and adapted to engage the said valve to actuate the same, and means normally holding said member out of engagement with the said valve.

28. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower element and a valve for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to said blower element, of means including a member mounted on the blower element for movement independently thereof for actuating 7 said valve, and means including a flexible member for moving said first mentioned member,

29. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a blower element and a valve for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to said blower element, of a member mounted on the blower element for rocking movement independently thereof and adapted to engage the said valve to actuate the same, means normally holding said member out of engagement with said valve, and means including a flexible member for rocking the said member to cause the same to said valve.

30. In a fluid heater cleaner, a movable blower element, a valve for controlling the admission of a cleaning fluid to said blower element, means for opening said valve, means for moving the blower element, and means including a gravity actuated mechanism providing for a closing of the valve upon the completion of the cleaning operation.

31. In a fluid heater cleaner, a movable engage the admission of a cleaning fluid to said blower element, means for. opening said valve, means formoving the blower element, means for holding the valve open during movement of the blower element, and gravity actuated means for releasing said holding means.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

NORMAN L. snow. 

